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Added 9 October 2026

raffish

/ˈɹæfɪʃ/ adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about raffish at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Characterized by careless unconventionality; rakish.
Low-class; disreputable; vulgar.

Origin

From late 18th century raff (“persons among the lowest class in society”) + -ish, still retained in contemporary English with riffraff. From Old French raffer (“to wear away”), of Germanic origin. Compare German raffen. Compare rip (“to tear”), rap (“to snatch”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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